pd & pet therapy
 

i just wanted to share a little bit.

i have always had really big dogs, since i was a kid. usually big black dogs or throw away puppies have always picked me. this is the first time i've ever had 3 small dogs.

i have 4 dogs, now. i'm home mostly, so i have a lot of time, patience, and was blessed with very receptive dogs. i've been able to teach them the basics with hand signals because my voice fades away (just obedience kinda skills and few extras).

this is poco oso (loosely translated, little bear in spanish)

she's 12 years old, a great pyrenese and chocolate lab mix, a runt from the pound, she is a big gentle girl (aka: a big lap puppy), running about 135 pounds.
she was a very good match with me because of her natural herding tendencies, she likes to stay up all or most of the night watching over her herd (critters or people).
she also naps during the day.

she is strong willed and stubborn, yet, over the years she has been so sensitive that she knows or can tell when i am not feeling well. (she will wake me, when i have night mares)
she will brace herself to help me up when i've fallen.
http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/i...Picture088.jpg

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/i...ture010-20.jpg

i also have 3 boston terriors

this is buckshot

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/i...Picture032.jpg

dakota blue sage (sagey)

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/i...s/Reyna169.jpg

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/i...re047-20-1.jpg

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/i...Picture003.jpg

sage and buckshot's puppy (yoda)

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/i...cture048-1.jpg

this is a grown up yoda (he was born deaf)

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/i...cat2011066.jpg

i thought it might be good to open a thread for people to share their pet or pet pics

i realize that not everyone has the time, space, abilities, accommodations and such for pets.

i feel very blessed to have my beastie babies that snore, burp and fart more than i do. :o

my best buddies
 

Toadie,

My 6 year old Australian Shepherd, Truly, and my cat, Harvey (who has been with me since my dx 12 years ago) are my constant companions and source of much joy and comfort.

I have decided, at the age of 53, to take on the huge responsibility of horse ownership. Following a year long internet courtship, I am making arrangements to finally make Music my own; he'll be occupying a paddock near my parents' home in Colorado later this month (he already occupies m heart).

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kjCgU5mlCP...1600/T%26H.jpg

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-avDvkMewkH...26+Music+1.JPG

My two babies!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...s/SAM_0286.jpg

my dusty dawg
 

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_x...o/01261101.JPG

11 years old. We found her as a pup 6 to 10 weeks old.

oh they are such beauties

my pups give me a sense of grace and ease

i would so enjoy others to share their pets, pastimes, wistful thoughts, feelings, or the things that make the tougher times a tad more tolerable.

kitties
 

We have 2 cats: Mr. Kitty (red & white), and Toughie (tabby). They adore my husband, and they are very companionable - they come when called, the tabby fetches toys, and they both "talk to us." We originally got the tabby cat so I'd have a cat that loved me and would sit on MY lap. LOL :D You can see that didn't happen!
:p
http://www.pdplan4life.com/kitties.jpg

service dogs deluxe
 

I don't know that I would have made it without my dogs. What gorgeous animals u all have; these wonderful creatures we share. Mine love pets with shakey hands and the little one holds my feet down each night when spasms keep me up.

“What is man without the beasts? If all the beasts were gone, man would die from a great loneliness of spirit. For whatever happens to the beasts, soon happens to man. All things are connected.”
quote Chief Seattle

Love seeing all these pets!

Never had a dog in my life, and at age 62 I am about to take the plunge and bring home a standard poodle puppy whom I expect to adore madly and (with help from a terrific trainer) teach some service tasks...I'm hoping he will bring more balance into my/my family's life in every sense. We have been without a pet since our cat died 2 years ago...I still feel his absence like a missing limb.

A standard poodle is such a wonderful breed of dog to do what you hope to embark upon with him. I wish you much good luck and am glad you have a good trainer to work with. I don't know what I would do without my girls sometimes. The smaller in particular comes from a line that has many seeing eye dogs so she is very connected with me. She'll lay on me for hours to hold still tremors, or just the weight of her body helps me feel better. The really are a remarkable part of life once you get used to having the help that is ever willing and ever loving to please it is a relief and release.

I am sorry to hear about your cat. I know we all miss so acutely these wonderful animals we get to share for too brief a time. Poodles are so smart and such wonderful candidates for helping and learning almost anything. I had a poodle growing up and he was among the smartest of all the dogs I've shared my life with. My goldens are whip smart in so many things but I think you've picked a winner with a poodle. Best of luck and lots of puppy breath. :p